Yorikiri is traditionally the most common winning technique in professional sumo. It occurs when a wrestler forces an opponent out of the ring while maintaining a grip on the opponent’s belt.
The technique rewards forward pressure, balance, and control at close range. Wrestlers often seek a belt grip early in the bout, then use their legs and hips to drive the opponent backward over the straw boundary.
Yorikiri is one of the sport’s basic kimarite, the named techniques used to classify victories. It is distinct from oshidashi, in which a wrestler pushes an opponent out without holding the belt. Hatakikomi is a slap-down technique, while uwatenage is an overarm throw.
Although yorikiri has long been especially frequent, match statistics vary by era and wrestler style. Powerful belt wrestlers tend to produce more yorikiri victories than competitors who rely mainly on pushing or quick slap-downs.